ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

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Exarchate of Parishes of Russian
Tradition in Western Europe

EPISCOPAL VICARIATE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND
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RETIREMENT OF BISHOP BASIL OF AMPHIPOLIS

Following the meeting of the Archdiocesan Council in Paris on 23 September 2009, and the visit to London of Archbishop Gabriel of Comana on 29 September, when he met both with the senior clergy of the Vicariate and the Vicariate Council, the Administration of the Archdiocese has issued the following statement:

Archdiocese of Orthodox Parishes of Russian Tradition in Western Europe
Communiqué No. 05-09 of the Council of the Archdiocese

Bishop Basil of Amphipolis, assistant bishop in charge of the Vicariate of Great Britain and Ireland, has made known to Archbishop Gabriel his wish to retire on grounds of his age and his state of health. Archbishop Gabriel has accepted his request, which will take effect from 12 October 2009. From this date Bishop Basil will have no further pastoral, liturgical or administrative responsibilities or duties in the Vicariate.
 

At the meeting of the Archdiocesan Council, Archbishop Gabriel expressed his profound gratitude to Bishop Basil for his work in the communities in Great Britain and Ireland and in the Archdiocese. He also emphasised that, in spite of Bishop Basil’s departure, the life of the parishes and communities in Great Britain and Ireland, which number about fifteen at present, would continue, that new communities were in formation and that there were preparations underway to ordain new clergy.

Archbishop Gabriel is making regular visits to Britain to meet with the senior clergy, and will chair the meetings of the Presbytery  on 23/24 October and of the Vicariate Assembly on 28 November.